The direct line to Brown University students and the Brown way of life: brought to you by Brown University Admissions Office

From Albania to Zimbabwe: This Year At Brown, I…

No matter where you are in the world, From Albania to Zimbabwe is the right place to find out about international happenings at Brown University! Hi, I’m Celina Stewart, a sophomore concentrating in International Relations here at Brown, and this is my space to give you updates and info about all things international at Brown, including international student life, international speakers, and different clubs and activities with an international focus. Read along and explore everything international at Brown!

For my final post of the year, I wanted to recount opportunities, experiences, and defining moments of this year at Brown. Not only will this give you an idea of how hectic a year can be, it will help you to understand what a year at Brown looks like. These are just my experiences- ask anyone else, and phe will likely have entirely different stories to tell. It’s all part of that great diversity that makes Brown students so compelling.

This year at Brown, I…

Went off meal plan

Had my first experience with gender neutral housing- and enjoyed it!

Learned to ski with the Brown Outdoors Club in Vermont

Took a selfie with President Paxson during the 250+ celebration

Completed 3 seminar level classes- and survived

Declared my first concentration

Took 4 WRIT classes in one semester- it’s possible

Had one horrible on-campus, commissioned job, and will never trust Seventeen Magazine‘s advice again

Visited friends at other Ivy League schools, and realized that I’m content with where I am

Bought a Spring Weekend tee, and won a second one at Carnival

TA’ed for the first time, and had a blast

Applied to study abroad, but decided not to go

Learned to play euchre, Munchkin, and Mario Party

Survived Econ 110

Became an officially licensed bartender

Made several friends by watching the Olympics every night in the basement

Wore out my combat boots, but (fortunately) my snow boots arrived in late March

Made an illuminated manuscript as a final project, rather than completing a research paper

Became comfortable taking courses and participating in activities because I find them interesting and enriching, rather than sticking to concentration requirements and popular classes

Made and re-made, and cried over, laughed about, and perfected my first official resumé

That although I may not always agree with the loudest voices on campus, I appreciate the insight they’ve given me into my beliefs, values, and experiences.

That there are many ways of showing support (and opposition), and that some of these ways are much more effective than others.

That I will never be the most brilliant, accomplished, engaging, or interesting person on campus, but that does not mean that my thoughts are inadequate, unimportant, irrelevant, or diminished.

That creativity applies to looking for opportunities, networking, and even extracurriculars. It take’s more than interest and ability to be successful, and many people with stronger resumés don’t look in the right places when doing these searches.

That being unhappy or unsatisfied doesn’t mean that I haven’t been learning. Campus has been especially political during my time here, beginning with the administration change, through the Divest Coal campaign, the Ray Kelly demonstrations, discussions regarding Israel/Palestine relations, and continuing with the ongoing sexual assault awareness campaign sweeping schools across the country. At times I have felt ostracized, silenced, ignored, misrepresented, guilty; however, I have also felt thankful, lucky, and supportive. I’ve learned that those negative feelings drove me to understand why I felt that way, and I realized some truths about my identity that I likely would never had explored had those ideas not been made aware to me. Further, many of these issues and ideals would not have crossed my mind, and I appreciate awareness.

That being afraid to ask questions results in confusion, rather than answers.

I hope you all have safe, fun, and productive summers. Brown describes itself as a “vibrant, diverse community,” and I have to agree. Keep your minds open, and no matter where you’re coming from, you’ll find a home at Brown University.

Have questions or comments? Feel free to email me at celina_stewart@brown.edu and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible! Or, if you’d rather, just comment on the blog!